Nuclear Arms Heat Up Near Israel

 

by Terry Long

   Yesterday it was announced that Iran tested and successfully launched a rocket missle that is capable of reaching Israel.   Previously, it had been reported that Iran was still years away from attaining that distance capability.  Yesterday’s announcement erased those doubts.   The announcement goes on to say that the missles can actually reach American bases in the Middle East as well as areas in Southern Europe.   Further reports speculate that Iran’s nuclear warhead capability is following close behind and  can be  operational in as little as a year.  

       While this may surprise some,  Israel was not surprised.   The State of Israel has been on alert ever since the Leader of Iran declared that Israel should be wiped off the map when he came to power several years back.  While Iran maintains that,” its missile program is merely for defense and its space program is for scientific and surveillance purposes”, they also boast that this new missle will be able to bomb and disarm all of Israel’s nuclear capability.  Talk about mixed messages, then again, this leader is not known for his diplomacy.

      All this to say let us keep praying for Israel and for Prime Minister Netanyahu who will need much wisdom.  I am proud that a Canada and our leader is an official friend of Israel.    Let’s pray for more nations and brave leaders to rise up and call Israel a friend, especially when the enemies are being so vocal and aggressive. 

 Read the article in it’s entirety, click here.

Canada Israel Together Tour

by Richard Long,

  Today, here in Ottawa we are looking forward to a special dinner with members of the Israeli Knesset who are on the Canada Israel Together tour.  They have already had meetings in Toronto and Montreal, and will be moving on to Winnipeg and Vancouver from here.  This is being sponsored by Watchmen for the Nations who are working with other ministries in Canada to host this special delegation.  Our whole team, including our Nazarites and other interns will be attending the dinner tonight.

  Amongst the many other things they are doing will be the Holocaust Memorial Service this afternoon at 3:00 PM, which has now been moved to the LeBreton Flats further west of Parliament Hill.  (We are dealing with potentially 25,000 Tamil demonstrators who are also here in Ottawa today.)

  Please pray that as Christians and Jews in the Ottawa area enjoy a meal together tonight and share the concerns and hopes of both communities, that this will deepen our friendship and bring about God’s purposes for both nations and people groups.

Praying for the Israeli Election

by Richard Long,

   There has been a lot of prayer around the world for the recent election in Israel.  Intercessors have rightly concluded that it is a very critical time in the future of that nation.

  Sometime later today, the final results from the army and prisons will come in, and the winner will become clear in this very close race.  It is already obvious that there has been a swing toward the right.

  We must resist the temptation to look to man as the solution in this very troubled part of the world, no matter whom they elect.  In my daily scripture reading today, I came to Zecheriah 12: 10 which I found was very timely.

“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication.  They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.”

    This is my ongoing BIG prayer for Israel – that there would be a move of the Holy Spirit upon that land, where they would experience grace.  But also that they would experience with that grace, a spirit of prayer (supplication).  And most of all, that they would have a revelation of the pierced-one, their suffering Messiah, whom we know as Yeshua, the Saviour.

Good Press Coverage For Canada Supporting Israel

     by Terry Long

          Okay, so I am getting political in my old age.  I can’t help it.  Whenever I see anyone doing anything remotely positive toward the support of Israel, my spirit gravitates towards it.  So maybe it’s not just a political thing but a spiritual thing as well.   Here today, following up on the blog from yesterday, is two more articles that soundly support Canada’s and the Prime Minister’s courageous decision to stand alone to stand with Israel.  Any article that starts:

           “It is an increasing rarity for a country to do the right thing, boldly….”

       You just know it is going to be a great article.  I am including the links to two incredible articles, one from Lorne Gunther from the National Post called “Harper’s Strong Stand”, and the other from Rosie Dimanno from The Star called “Canada –  A Voice of Integrity at UN” .   Both articles are short, well written and well worth the read. I encourage you to take the time to view them.  I know that you will be blessed and spurred on to pray for our government even more.

Harper’s Strong Stand

Canada – A Voice of Integrity at UN

Canada Votes Alone For Israel

by Terry Long

      OTTAWA–”Canada stood alone before a United Nations human rights council yesterday, the only one among 47 nations to oppose a motion condemning the Israeli military offensive in Gaza.The vote before the Geneva-based body shows the Stephen Harper government has abandoned a more even-handed approach to the Middle East in favour of unalloyed support of Israel, according to some long-time observers.”

“The resolution wholly failed to acknowledge Hamas’s continual rocket attacks on Israel that brought about the current crisis, and ignored a state’s legitimate right to self-defence,” a spokesperson said in an email. “Canada remains deeply concerned about the ongoing hostilities … and encourages all diplomatic efforts to achieve an immediate, sustainable and durable ceasefire. But first and foremost, Hamas’s rocket attacks must stop so that a ceasefire can be realized.”

       The above is taken from an article in The Toronto Star January 13, 2009.  I have posted the first and the last paragraphs of what is an amazing article stating that Canada was the only country  out of 47 nations to not condemn Israel.  Anti-semitism in on the rise globally because of the actions of a country wanting to defend itself.  I am proud to live in a nation that stands with Israel.  I am proud that Canada is leading the way to support and affirm the Israeli nation.  My dream would be that other nations would follow Canada, yet for now Canada stands alone.  Let us pray for our courageous Prime Minister who has taken and continues to take this extraordinary stand.  Let us pray for other nations that they would do the right thing and join in this stand. 

  I encourage you all to read this article in it’s entirety posted in the link below:

http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/569872

Prayer Rally for Peace

Our friend Annie Elliott praying at the prayer rally

by Terry Long,

   Yesterday I attended a prayer rally on Parliament Hill to support Israel’s right to defend itself as a country.  It was a frigid cold day and yet, like myself, many came out to stand with the local Jewish community including other church leaders and two members of Parliament, Jeff Watson, and my own M.P. Royal Galipeau.  Their speeches were heartfelt.  

   This is not solely a political issue, but a moral and humanitarian issue that needs greater attention beyond the surface judgements of a biased media.  Having been in Israel in early 2008 I was made aware that 5 – 6 katusha rockets are fired daily from Hamas on to Israel soil consistently and have been over the last 8 years even during the so-called ceasefires.  This is something that does not make international headlines but the world should know.  How can Hamas move towards peace when they believe that Israel should be annihilated?  The solution would take a miracle from God.  Yesterday I was praying for a miracle. I was praying for the peace of Jersualem.  Would you also join me?

The Miracle of Seeing Nothing

By Terry Long

        Easter Monday is a special day to continue rejoicing and celebrating our Saviour’s resurrection from death to life.   I had the joy of recently returning from a life changing trip to Israel which included a deeply moving visit to what is highly regarded as the Garden Tomb.  I had the experience of walking up to the tomb and entering in.  I am excited to report that the tomb is indeed empty!!!  I know that we all know it is empty.  I knew that before going in, but it is incredible to actually see the empty tomb.  I can now say that I have seen the place where Jesus was laid with my own eyes and the greatest miracle of all is that there is nothing there!

     “Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here; he has risen!  Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:  “The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.”  Then they remembered his words.”   Luke 24: 5 – 8

                                                 Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia! 

                                                 Son of men and angels say, Alleluia! 

                                                 Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!

                                                 Sing ye heavens and earth reply, Alleluia!